Man, 21, turns himself in for downloading child porn after 'FBI warning message' that turned out to be a virus tells him to

A 21-year-old man turned himself in to police and confessed to downloading child porn after he received an FBI warning message telling him he was the subject of an investigation that actually turned out to be a scam.

Jay Matthew Riley walked into Garfield District Station in Woodbridge, William County, with his computer and asked if there were any warrants on file for him.

He explained that a message popped up on his screen while he was watching child porn, ordering him to pay a fine or else he would be the subject of a criminal investigation.

But the message was actually a computer virus which has been infecting computers since early last year that the FBI actually warned about on their website.

Scam: Jay Matthew Riley walked into Garfield District Station in Woodbridge, William County, with his computer and asked if there were any warrants on file for him

Virus: The 'FBI warning message' tells users they must pay a fine or they will be subject to an investigation for their illegal online activity

When police searched Riley's computer, they found inappropriate messages and photos of underage girls. One was a 13-year-old from Minnesota.

They later seized several computers and other devices from his home.

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He is charged with three counts of
possession of child pornography, one count of using a communication device
to solicit certain offenses involving children, and one count of indecent
liberties with a minor.

He is being held without bond.

The virus is known as Reveton ransomware, which is designed to extort money from its victims after they click on a compromised website

The message says the user’s Internet address was identified by the FBI as having been associated with child pornography sites or other illegal online activity.

To unlock their machines, users are required to pay a fine using a prepaid money card service. Otherwise they will be subject to investigation.